“Much the same as you, I’d imagine. Getting a bite to eat, something to drink, trying not to kill any Cornells...” He glanced over in Hallie’s direction. “Or Wynters.”
A sudden surge of fierce protectiveness grew within me. It wasn’t an emotion I’d come to expect in regard to Hallie. Jealousy, yes, but not protectiveness, like I wanted to pull her against me and wrap my whole body around her and absorb her into me so no one would ever be able to hurt her without literally going through me first.
Other patrons in the restaurant had sensed something was going down and were shifting uncomfortably in the seats, trying not to stare or signalling the waiters for their bills, even though their meals were half eaten. I felt sorry for the owner—he didn’t need this kind of bad publicity—but that was on the Gilligans, not us.
“There are a thousand other restaurants in London,” I said. “Try one of them.”
But Bruno made no move to leave.
“I was sorry to hear about your brother, Harvey. My family sends our condolences.”
Rage poured through me. “Don’t even fucking mention his name.”
His head tilted to one side. “Why not?”
“I know you had something to do with his death. You planted that shooter at the wedding.”
“I don’t know what you’ve been hearing, but that had nothing to do with us.”
“Bullshit.” My fingers itched. I wanted to take out my gun and shoot the fucker right between the eyes. The only thing stopping me was knowing that Hallie was right beside me, and if I shot him, and one of his siblings took me down, that would leave Hallie ripe for the picking.
Bruno raised both hands. “I’m serious, Tam. We didn’t kill Harvey. You need to be looking a little closer to home, my old mate.”
“I’m no mate of yours.”
Could he be right? Was it possible that the Gilligans hadn’t been responsible for what had happened at the wedding? If so, that meant my father had been right by telling me to wait. It also meant someone else had murdered my brother, and I didn’t know who.
Hallie’s slim fingers slid into mine. “We’ve finished eating. Maybe we should just go.”
I wanted to get angry with her, to tell her she didn’t understand. It almost felt like a betrayal, as though she was taking their side. A terrible thought occurred to me. Was it possible this was all a trick, and shewason the Gilligans’ side? Had the Wynters and the Gilligans gone behind our backs as a way of picking out each of us Cornells one by one?
But then I looked down into her face and saw my worry reflected in her eyes. She was concerned I was going to get hurt, just like I was worried about something happening to her. Yes, I wanted to force Bruno and his siblings out of here, but would I do it at the expense of her safety? No, never.
I reached into my wallet, took out a handful of fifty-pound notes—the genuine article this time—and placed them under a saucer. I took Hallie’s hand and gently pulled her to her feet, then I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her mouth.
“You’re right. This isn’t the time or the place. Let’s go home.”
My softening clearly surprised her, but she let out a breath of relief. The Wynters had as much of a reason to hate the Gilligans as the Cornells did, but Hallie was being sensible. Out in the open, we needed to behave like civilised members of society; it was only behind closed doors that we revealed our true nature.
“Let’s go.” I tightened my hand around Hallie’s. “Thank you for an excellent meal,” I told the owner, then I faced Bruno. “Enjoy your food. The duck was delicious.”
I released my hold on Hallie’s hand to touch her waist and guide her from the restaurant. I didn’t like how close our route brought us to the Gilligans, or that I’d end up having to turn my back on them fully as we left. Bruno wouldn’t be stupid enough to shoot me in the back in a restaurant full of witnesses. Even he wasn’t dumb enough to put himself in prison.
Strangely, I discovered I was proud of myself. Had I finally learnt what my father hadn’t been able to teach me all these years about biding my time and not reacting with such a hot head to situations? Except it hadn’t been my father who’d taught me that in the end; it had been the beautiful woman at my side.
We walked to the car, which was parked not too far away. I opened the door for Hallie, and she slid carefully onto the passenger seat. I’d all but forgotten about the plug during the confrontation, but she clearly hadn’t.
I wasn’t about to hang around when the Gilligans were in such close proximity. I started the car and joined the London evening traffic. It wasn’t as bad as rush hour, but still wasn’t fast-moving.
Neither of us spoke, but a question burned on my brain.
I spoke without taking my eyes off the road. “Tell me you’re not in bed with the Gilligans.”
She twisted in her seat to face me. “How the fuck can you ask me that? They’re my father’s biggest enemy.”
I kept my eyes on the road. “It just occurred to me that you might be a plant to take me and my brothers out, one by one.”
“Tam, I haven’t betrayed your family, I swear it. I swear it on my father’s life, and my brother’s. I would never, never have done that to Harvey, and I wouldn’t do it to you either.”